“God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.” Genesis 21:20,21 NIV
What if Hagar had not obeyed the Lord? Remember her exhaustion and thirst. She could have easily said that she just could not do any more. If Hagar had failed at this, failed to obey the Lord, she and Ishmael would, most likely, not have been saved. They would have perished. But she obeyed, did exactly what the Lord said. The Lord calls us to obey Him. We obey, then He helps and blesses us. Hagar and Ishmael received the Lord’s continued, unbroken care and provision. Very simply, the Lord was with Ishmael as he grew into full manhood. This strongly points to Ishmael’s repentance and crying out for forgiveness. Hagar and Ishmael accepted their God-given call, environment and life. They did not travel on down into Egypt but remained in the desert of Paran. Why? Scripture does not say, but the Lord must have given Hagar some direction about the matter. Whatever the case, the point to see is this: they accepted the Lord’s call to live apart from Abraham. They adjusted and adapted to a most harsh environment, living out in the desert. Ishmael had to become an archer to hunt and feed himself and his mother. Hagar got Ishmael a wife from Egypt. Conflict can be conquered and overcome. How? Through prayer, listening to the Word of the Lord, thinking through the problem. In repentance and obedience, receiving the Lord’s continued, unbroken care. Accepting the call of the Lord wherever we are and experiencing His provision. God does promise us victory!
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, disobedience does not lead to life, but obedience does.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Thank You Lord, that conflict can be conquered and overcome. Through prayer, listening to Your Word, thinking through the problem. In repentance and obedience, receiving Your continued, unbroken care. Accepting Your call Lord wherever we are and experiencing Your provision. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
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